Authentic Detroit Style Pizza Maker Program

Becoming an Authentic Detroit Style Pizza Maker proves you know how to make the real deal, the “Motor City Secret,” Detroit Style Pizza. The program is perfect for operators with an existing pizzeria who want to add Detroit Style Pizza to their menu, and start-up pizzerias who want to feature Detroit Style Pizza in their restaurants.

Detroit Style Pizza is steeped in rich tradition, and as such only specific preparation practices qualify pizza as authentic Detroit Style. To become an Authentic Detroit Style Pizza Maker, you must successfully complete our extensive three-day training course, which will teach you how to make and implement Detroit Style Pizza in a commercial setting.

Benefits of Becoming an Authentic Detroit Style Pizza Maker

Acquire the skills to create, manage and serve an Authentic Detroit Style Pizza in a commercial setting

Recognition as an Authentic Detroit Style Pizza Maker

A professional press release drafted and distributed via a major PR service and targeted to your market

License to use the official Detroit Style Pizza Seal of Authenticity in marketing and advertising collateral

The DSP Training Program

If your pizzeria does not currently serve authentic Detroit Style Pizza, or you simply want to hone up on your pizza maker prowess, you can enlist in the Detroit Style Pizza Training Program. The program covers all aspects of preparing, serving, and marketing authentic Detroit Style Pizza. At the conclusion of training, trainees receive a license to use recipes, systems, supporting documentation and the seal of authenticity. The Detroit Style Pizza Training Program helps put you on track for success. The program is perfect for:

Start-up pizzerias who want to serve authentic Detroit Style Pizza

Operators who want to add Detroit Style Pizza to their menu

Restaurants switching over to Detroit Style Pizzeria

Pizzerias who currently serve Detroit Style Pizza that want to improve their pizza-making skills and take advantage of the other benefits of the program

The following are requirements for an Authentic Detroit Style Pizza. Your pizzeria must follow these established practices in order to serve authentic Detroit Style Pizza.

Detroit Style Pans: Authentic Detroit Style Pizza must be baked in rectangle pans made specifically for baking authentic Detroit Style Pizza, like the ones offered on this site.

Optimal Dough Hydration Levels: In order to ensure proper texture after baking, dough recipes must have hydration levels of 70% or higher.

Proper Dough Proofing: Best practices must be followed to maintain dough quality throughout the proofing process.

Pepperoni Under Cheese: Authentic Detroit Style Pizza features a layer of pepperoni under the cheese. You may have specialty pizzas that call for pepperoni on top.

Edge-to-Edge Cheese: Cheese must be spread edge-to-edge so it caramelizes on the crust when baking.

Sauce On Top: Red sauce must be ladled on top of authentic Detroit Style Pizza.

Deck Oven Baking: Authentic Detroit Style Pizza must be baked in a deck oven. Conveyor ovens with new technology are still being tested.

How the Training Program Works

The Detroit Style Pizza Training Program is a comprehensive education in making Detroit Style Pizza. During the course of the program, you will:

Learn to create a Detroit Style Pizza recipe you can call your own

Learn proper dough making, techniques, proofing and management

Learn how to construct an authentic Detroit Style Pizza

Proper baking along with several baking tips and trouble shooting issues

Ingredient selection

Necessary equipment

Operational flow and stations

Staff training tips

Marketing tips

Earn your Authentic Detroit Style Pizza Maker designation

The program unfolds over three phases: Consultation, Training, and Support.

Consultation

You will consult with World Champion Pizza Maker Shawn Randazzo to determine your goals. Together, you will identify your strengths and areas of improvement. Shawn will then develop a customized training program designed to help position your pizzeria for success by serving authentic Detroit Style Pizza.

Training

The actual training will take place on-site at your restaurant or at a Detroit Style Pizza Co. location. Shawn will personally meet with you over a 3-day period to train you in the art of making Detroit Style Pizza, help you implement best preparation practices, help you train your staff, and answer any questions you have.

The following key points will be extensively covered during training:

Dough Recipe: We will work with you to formulate or adjust your dough recipe to meet authentic Detroit Style Pizza requirements.

Dough Making Technique: You will learn the techniques and processes neccessary for this style of dough. You will receive systems and tools to implement in your operation after training.

Dough Preparation and Proofing: You will learn how to properly proof the dough (one of the biggest challenges for pizza makers) and best practices for using Detroit Style Pizza pans and lids to achieve the proper Detroit Style Pizza rise and texture.

Dough Management: Learn best practices for storing, rotating, and managing dough for consistency and freshness. Protocols and tools will be provided to you throughout the training process.

Hands-On Experience: If your pizzeria is open, we’ll work alongside you to ensure your transition to serving Detroit Style Pizza is smooth. If you’re not yet open, we’ll role play the day from start to finish to ensure you fully understand how to apply the best techniques and systems. Alternatively, you can get live experience at a Detroit Style Pizza Co. location. This experience is invaluable, as you’ll get a live action overview of how the operation runs and how each station works. This is where potential issues are identified and quickly solved.

Customized Training: Every business has different strengths, so we will customize your training to help you identify areas of improvement.

Support

Even though we cover a lot during your three-day training, you may still have questions after your launch. Your training program includes one hour of phone support per week for three weeks after completion of training.

Detroit Style Pizza Company will work with you to select a reasonably-priced hotel in a safe area near our training location. We can also provide information in regards to local transportation. If we are traveling to you we will also work with you to determine reasonable airfare, hotel and transportation rates (don’t worry, we won’t fly first class). You will know the full and entire fee upfront before you make a commitment to your training program.